Filling material for mattresses



rrnn firarns GEORGE \V. YEARIOKS, OF BRIDESBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FILLING MATERIAL FOR MATTRESSES, doc.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,936, dated September 20, 1898..

Application filed January 26, 1898. Serial No. 668,058. ($pecimens.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. YEARIOKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridesburg, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filling Material for Mattresses, Pillows, Cushions, or the Like and Modes of Producing the Same, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to a filler for mattresses, pillows, cushions, &c., and to the method of producing such a filler, which from hygienic and commercial standpoints shall be a valuable and cheap substitute for hair, feathers, straw, or other substances now used.

The filler which is the subject-matter of this invention is cornstalk-pith shredded and artificially dried under required temperature, but not compressed, and held together by the interior fibers of the pith.

In the preparation of the filler the cornstalk is first cut or separated into sections, and the joints of the stalk and the outer shell or fibrous covering of the pith are removed. The pith, with its interior fibers intact, is then shredded-that is, cut or torn into small pieces which are long and narrow in the direction in which the fibers extend, so as to preserve these fibers intact. The shredded pith is then dried artificially under required temperature, but is not compressed, the pith being held together by the interior fibers. By artificially drying the cornstalk-pith the elasticity and color of the same remain unchanged and its liability to decay is removed. If the pith be dried naturally, it becomes harsh, brittle, and discolored, readily decays and is unfit for use as a filler for mattresses and like articles subjected to compression. By reason of its lightness the pith is a most excellent substitute for feathers, but has not the objectionable hygienic feature of ready absorption of moisture which feathers have. By reason of its flexibility or elasticity, and also for the reason that it is a good non.-conductor of heat, the pith is a good substitute for hair; but it has not the objectionable features of porosity or absorption and weight, which is the case with hair. By reason of its cheapness it is a valuable substitute for straw, but has not the objectionable features of packing or matting closely together and weight, which are inherent in straw, and it is not brittle like straw, excelsior, corn-husks, and similar fillers.

Having thus described the nature and obj ect of my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--- 1. The mode of preparing a filler for mattresses, pillows or the like, which consists in cutting or separating cornstalk into sections,

with its joints and outer shell or fibrous covering removed, then shredding the pith so that the interior fibers of the same will be maintained intact, then artificially drying under required temperature without compressing the same, whereby the filling material is brought to a state or condition for use, as described and for the purposes set forth.

2. A filler for mattresses, pillows or the like, consisting of dried pith of cornstalks, from which the joints and outer shell have been removed, said pith cut or torn into small pieces in the direction in which the fibers of the pith extend so as to maintain said fibers intact, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. W. YEARIC-KS.

Witnesses:

J. WALTER DOUGLASS, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

